BHS administrators submit investigatory report on former BHS directors to Insolvency Service

Sir Philip Green appeared on ITV to defend himself last night (Source: ITV News)

Helen Cahill

Pressure is mounting on Sir Philip Green ahead of a parliamentary debate on BHS' collapse as City A.M. has learned the BHS administrators have submitted an investigatory report on the retailer's former directors to the Insolvency Service.

The report from Duff & Phelps on the conduct of former directors will remain confidential unless the Insolvency Service publishes its investigation. Ministers have been pushing for this unprecedented step to be taken due to the high-profile nature of BHS' collapse.

Green's actions will come under public scrutiny tomorrow when MPs debate the collapse of BHS in the House of Commons. Lawmakers will vote on whether or not Green should keep his knighthood, although any vote in favour will not be binding. The ultimate decision is for the honours forfeiture committee.

Other actors in the BHS saga are also likely to come under fire.

Dominic Chappell, the serial bankrupt that bought BHS from Green for £1, told City A.M.: "I won’t be watching."

The pensions lifeboat currently responsible for supporting BHS pensioners has still not received any written proposals on how Green will contribute to the BHS pension deficit.

The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) is seeking a better outcome for the BHS pensioners, who will receive a 10 per cent cut to their pensions if Green does not make an offer.

Discussions, however, are ongoing, and the PPF and The Pensions Regulator (TPR) are yet to see a satisfactory proposal.

It is still not clear which part of the Green family's complex web of companies - which includes Arcadia and Taveta Investments - will be the vehicle for helping BHS pensioners, City A.M. understands. Given the size and complexity of Green's retail empire, a resolution with the PPF and TPR is not expected to come soon.

Green's spokesman said in a statement: "There are serious and extensive efforts continuing with the Pensions Regulator to find a pensions solution involving a substantial voluntary contribution for the benefit of BHS pensioners.

"We remain hopeful that a solution can be reached in the very near future."